CubaPLUS Magazine

Although some today believe that the Coppelia ice cream parlor in the Cuban capital has lost its charm, it is not true. Coppelia is still Coppelia, because it still delights young and old alike with tasty chocolate and tropical fruit ice creams, including strawberry, to make the combination of the famous film by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, whose first scenes were filmed there.

And because it is a symbol of the past and present of this city that beats strongly in the history of the ice cream salon.It is located in the area considered the most central of El Vedado and near the corner of L and 23, perhaps the most famous in Cuba, surrounded by the well-known Yara cinema, the great Habana Libre hotel, not far from studios andimportant departments of Cuban television and radio, close to restaurants, ministries and emerging private businesses.

A very active and dynamic environment where hundreds of thousands of people pass daily, including residents of the capital, tourists, the so-called floating or transit population... Inaugurated on June 4, 1966, the great ice cream parlor, with its beautiful architecture and trees that still offer generous shade, drew attention from the first day due to the high quality of its creams and the well-stocked menu of flavors it offered, along with candies, sweets and biscuits.

Children, teenagers, students of all types of education, entire families, lovers, friends, co-workers, found in the place a garden of delights that it was impossible to ignore. Today, although time has taken its toll and conditions are not the same, Coppelia continues to have a great number of visitors and continues to be a crowded place, a refuge for happy and carefree youth, as it has been since its inauguration. In addition to being a creamery, it remains an unequivocal reference point for a personal location or address to move around in the Cuban capital, whether you are a native of the city or a newcomer &from the countryside", as the Havanans say. They say "the Coppelia stop", "close to Coppelia", "I'm passing in front of Coppelia" or I'm having ice cream at Coppelia" and no one doubts where exactly you are.

Almost all of Cuba, from Maisí to San Antonio, knows where Coppelia is. And since we do not stop repeating that beautiful name, we will say it was inspired by the mischievous leading character of a classical dance incorporated into the repertoire of the National Ballet of Cuba, by the excellent Alicia Alonso. The name quickly became popular, perhaps a little because of the magic of the character and a lot because of the deliciousness of the ice cream.